Betfair Tingle Creek Chase: Sandown betting tips

There are few better sights in National Hunt racing than watching the best two-mile chasers going at it hammer and tong around Sandown Park in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase, and this year’s race looks like another early Christmas cracker. 

However, established top-class two-mile chasers are not the only ones on display across the two-day meeting, which gets underway on Friday, with the stars off tomorrow set to do battle over the same trip earlier on during the card on Saturday in the Grade One Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase. 

This meeting is not all about those blessed with speed with those laden with stamina also getting a chance to shine in the Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase to round the meeting out. 

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While Saturday’s card is the stronger of the two days there is still plenty of talent on show during the curtain raiser on Friday. 

The two highlights being the Grade Two Betfair Winter Novices’ Hurdle and the Grade Two Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase, which provide the perfect starter ahead of a tantalising main course. 

Tingle Creek Chase Day One

When it comes to following a trainer in the Grade Two Betfair Winter Novices’ Hurdle, then look no further than Paul Nicholls. 

The 14-time champion trainer has won the race no less than a record-equalling five times, including with the likes of future Cheltenham Gold Cup winner See More Business in 1995. 

And this year, the Ditcheat master appears to hold strong claims of securing a record-breaking sixth win in the race with impressive Cheltenham scorer No Drama This End flying the flag for his team. 

In the other Grade Two on the card, the Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase, a small, but select field of four will lock horns and do battle in the third renewal of the three-mile test, which was last year claimed by subsequent Grade One winner Handstands.

So when it comes to finding future stars paying close attention to both races is a must. 

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FIRST.com’s top tip Hidden History to win the Bet At Your Best With Betfair Handicap Chase @ 7/4 with Unibet

Trainer Dan Skelton can do little wrong at present, and Hidden History can keep the bandwagon rolling here with a second victory over fences this season. 

The seven-year-old gelding appeared to need every yard of the three-miles and one-furlong trip up at Aintree when getting up almost on the line that day. 

Nursed into the race by Harry Skelton he was given a perfectly timed run to score by half a length, which has resulted in him only being nudged up two pounds by the handicapper. 

He looks to have plenty more left up his sleeve and he can take a small rise in weights in his stride around a much stiffer track which will play to his stamina late on. 

Day One extra tips

Laurens Bay is officially rated the lowest on figures in the Grade Two Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase, but if he can build on his winning start over fences at Uttoxeter, then he should be competitive here. 

Although he only had one rival to beat on that occasion he did it in the manner of how an odds-on favourite should do with the step up to three miles appearing to be a positive move. 

This represents a much tougher test, however the Youmzain gelding shows he acts around the track after securing a last gasp success in the European Breeders’ Fund Betfair ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final in March. 

Trainer Jamie Snowden has his team in fine form of late with his yard, at the time of writing operating at a 41 per cent strike rate, which further aids the cause of Laurens Bay, who will also be well suited to conditions.

Laurens Bay to win the Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase @ 4-1 with Coral

Knight Templar appears to be working his way back to form and he could represent a bit of each-way value in the finale. 

Although pulled up on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham, he finished a close-up third dropped back to an extended two miles at Exeter last time out. 

If Johnny Burke can time his challenge right then he has more than enough class in this grade of race to finish in the frame. 

Knight Templar each-way  in the Betfair Racing Podcasts “Four Years Old” Handicap Hurdle, three places, @ 14-1 with Betfred

Tingle Creek Chase Day Two

All eyes will be focussed on what promises to be an intriguing clash in this year’s Betfair Tingle Creek. 

Reigning champion Jonbon will be looking to defend his crown, but he will have to reverse the form of last month’s Grade Two Shloer Chase at Cheltenham where he was firmly put in his place by the re-opposing L’Eau du Sud. 

But both might have to play a supporting role from Irish raider Il Etait Temps from the all conquering yard of Willie Mullins. 

It is worth noting as well that the last time the seven-year-old was sighted in Britain was handing out a beating to Jonbon in the Grade One bet365 Celebration Chase on the final day of the season. 

However, before Jonbon takes to the track his trainer Nicky Henderson might have already bagged Grade One honours with the exciting Lulamba, who will bid to follow up his flawless debut over fences at Exeter in the Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase. 

It is worth noting that the last two winners to be saddled by Henderson to glory in the race have been none other than Grade One winning machines Jonbon in 2022 and Altior in 2016.

Outside of the Grade One races the card is kicked off with an intriguing looking renewal of the Listed Betfair Exchange Claremont Novices’ Hurdle, which features in the line up the unbeaten Sober Glory. 

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FIRST.com’s top tip L’Eau du Sud to win the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase @ 11/4 with Ladbrokes

This year’s Betfair Tingle Creek promises to be a real treat, but it is hard to move away from L’Eau du Sud who put up a mighty performance on his return to action in the Grade Two Shloer Chase at Cheltenham last month. 

Last season L’Eau du Sud looked at his best at this time of year when backing up his Grade Two win in the Paddy Power Arkle Trial Challenge Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham with victory at Sandown Park in the Grade One Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase. 

This will require another piece of improvement from the seven-year-old, however that looks distinctly possible given the manner in which he won on his return to action. 

While Jonbon, who he beat by 15 lengths that day, is likely to strip much fitter around a track he is much better at age might just be starting to catch up with him now, with the bigger threat appearing to be the Willie Mullins-trained Il Etait Temps. 

Like L’Eau du Sud, he made a winning return to action in the Grade Two Clonmel Oil Chase to put him spot on for a return to the scene of his victory in last season’s Grade One bet365 Celebration Chase.

However, L’Eau du Sud looked more polished on his return and with that he is taken to come out on top of what promises to be a real treat for horse racing fans alike. 

Day Two extra tips

Glynn Brae only just scrambled home over two and a half miles at the track last month, but he should be more suited to the switch back down to a stiff two miles here. 

Conditional jockey Toby McCain-Mitchell has once again been enlisted for the ride and will take a handy five pounds off his back which could prove vital at the business end of the race. 

Ground conditions will be fine with two of his previous wins coming on soft, and another on heavy. 

Although the Nigel and Willy-Twiston Davies yard aren’t quite firing on all cylinders Glynn Brae looks worth siding with now back down to what looks his optimum trip.

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Glynn Brae to win the Bet At Your Best With Betfair Handicap Hurdle @ 4/1 with William Hill

It is a shame that the Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase has attracted just the seven runners meaning there are only two places on offer not three for those seeking some each-way value. 

However, the Joe Tizzard-trained Rivers Corner looks worth a chance at a double figure price at the foot of the weights. 

The John Romans-owned gelding finished a solid third over an inadequate two miles and three furlongs at Exeter last month, but that run should put him spot on here. 

Since being fitted with blinkers the Soldier Of Fortune gelding has yet to finish outside of the first three. 

The extended three-and-a-half mile trip will pose a new question as regards to his stamina, but this looks a good spot to try it with a nice light weight on his back. 

Rivers Corner each-way in the Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase, two places, at 11-1 with Coral

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Odds correct at the time of writing.